The overriding characteristic of the huge V-twin is the honkingly massive amount of torque available. A peak of 115[ftlb] come in at a barely-above tickover 2500rpm. This makes the bike exceptionally fast off the line with no rider effort. Big V-twins are never silky smooth but it’s better than most. It’s a high tech engine, not simply a bored out antique.

The Nightster isn't exactly light at a claimed 545lb dry weight (claimed 565lbs ready-to-run), but the center of gravity is fairly low, and this combines with the wide bars to make aggressive riding easy, even at around-town speeds. Out of all the cruisers I've ridden, the Nightster would be high on my list if my plans involved a lot of city riding - it's almost like a (really low) standard in terms of how it attacks city traffic. Just be careful of those wide bars while splitting lanes!

To create the biggest of the big, Twin Cam 96 crankcases are machined to accept a pair of big-bore cylinders. Inside, 4.0-inch pistons move through the same 4.4-inch stroke employed in the TC96. But because bigger, heavier pistons would net more vibration along with more power, the 110’s forged slugs are light. Reciprocating mass is essentially the same as in the smaller-bore 96, so both engines use the same crankshaft, flywheel and anti-vibe hardware.

...the incredible diesel device I found waiting for me to ride in the Bavarian countryside south of Munich, masquerading at a swift glance as an American-style cruiser with a big parallel-twin motor that could easily resemble Triumph's forthcoming 1500cc custom, is a bike literally unlike any other, and not only because of its choice of fuel.

Visually, the motor is just as stunning, taking up a large amount of real estate in between the massive steel frame rails. And, the first thing that strikes the eye, after the huge attractive air cleaner cover, is the chrome pushrod tubes that actually contain pushrods. “To allow for a lower engine height” is the official reason, in an effort to maintain a lower centre of gravity and a lower seat height. Makes sense, but I couldn’t help wondering how much of the decision was style-driven based on a certain other popular V-twin’s method of valve actuation.

If bigger really is better, you're looking at the best off-the-rack Harley-Davidson in captivity. Known as the FLHRSEI2 in Milwaukeese, its 98.4mm x 111.1mm cylinders add up to 103 cubic inches or 1690cc--the biggest factory-built Harley Big Twin yet. Except it's not exactly stock. Created as part of Harley's Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) program, the Screamin' Eagle Road King is a limited-production, expensive piece: $27,995 ($28,095 in California) vs. $16,215 for a basic 2002 Road King. The CVO ensemble is also a painless way for Harley to run new ideas up the flagpole of public opinion and see how many checkbooks salute.

The Savage does not feel as refined as some of the v-twins available out there, but to me that's part of it's appeal. There is a pronounced flywheel effect that gives the [Suzuki] an unmistakable charm (as a friend on the 'net recently put it, "you can actually *feel* the pull of each power stroke when taking a slow turn in third gear, and then just gradually roll on the power"). And there is a level of omnipresent vibration at all revs (not annoying, except perhaps on high-mileage excursions) that reminds you you're sitting on a motorcycle.

The FXDBI Street Bob is stripped-down, single-seat version of the Dyna, with the minimalist style that you might see in a stripped-down homebuilt custom. Styling highlights include a 29-degree steering head and fork angle, "Mini ape-hanger" handlebar, speedo set on the Fat Bob fuel tank, a new wrap-around rear fender over a 160mm rear tire, wire-spoke wheels, mid-mouint footpegs and congtrols, Street Bob air cleaner trim ring, special tank emblems, and a wrinkle-black finish on the console, belt guard, and battery cover, which has polished trim. Fuel-injection is standard.